But some of those bricks, or collections of them at least, are worth considerably more than others.
If you’re a child of the 80s and you held onto your old Lego set, it could earn you a small fortune today.
BrickEconomy.com lists the most valuable Lego sets out of those released each year during the 1980s.
One is worth more than £7,400 today, while another has seen its value soar by a staggering 19,100% since it first went on sale 38 years ago for £15.79.
To put that into perspective, according to the Bank of England’s inflation tracker, £1 in 1980 would be worth £4.35 today, making Lego a considerably better investment than putting your money in a bank.
Below are the most valuable Lego sets from each year in the 80s, including castles, spaceships and motorised trains.
The prices we’ve listed are for unopened sets in as-new condition. But even if yours has been well-loved, it could still fetch a tidy sum.
Do you own any of these Lego sets? You might also be interested in our round-up of the most valuable Lego minfigures ever made.
5. 1984: LEGO 6080 King's Castle
The LEGO 6080 King's Castle is the most valuable Lego set today out of all those released in 1984, according to BrickEconomy. The 674-piece set, including 12 minifigures, was the first of the castle sets to feature grey bricks instead of the standard yellow ones. It is estimated to be worth £2,831 today. That represents a 14,093% increase on its original £19.95 retail price. | BrickEconomy/Lego Photo: BrickEconomy/Lego
6. 1985: UNICEF van
The LEGO 106-1 UNICEF Van is the most valuable Lego set today out of all those released in 1985, according to BrickEconomy. The promotional 54-piece set, with one minifigure, is worth an estimated £7,413 today. It was given away for free in 1985, but has increased in value by 14.1% in the last year alone. | BrickEconomy/Lego Photo: BrickEconomy/Lego
7. 1986: Cosmic Fleet Voyager
The LEGO 6985 Cosmic Fleet Voyageralso called Taurean Ore Carrier, is the most valuable Lego set today out of all those released in 1986, according to BrickEconomy. The 413-piece set, including a large spaceship, a small rover and four astronauts, is today worth an estimated £2,052. That represents a 4,230% increase from its original retail price of £47.39. | BrickEconomy/Lego Photo: BrickEconomy/Lego
8. 1987: LEGO 6990 Monorail Transport System
The LEGO 6990 Monorail Transport System is the most valuable Lego set today out of all those released in 1987, according to BrickEconomy. The 731-piece motorised set, including a monorail train and a track with two stations, is worth an estimated £2,528 today. That represents a 2,454% increase on its original £99 retail price. | BrickEconomy/Lego Photo: BrickEconomy/Lego